Libraries, Museums, Cultural Institutions, and Nation’s Largest Cultural Worker Union Urge Court to Block President Trump’s Effort to Dismantle the Nation’s Cultural and Educational Infrastructure - Democracy Forward
News Articles
2026 College Free Speech Rankings: America’s colleges get an ‘F’ for poor free speech climate
The sixth annual College Free Speech Rankings show a continued decline in support for free speech among all students, but particularly conservatives.
Justice Dept. declines to defend grants for Hispanic-serving colleges, calling them unconstitutional
The Trump administration says it will not defend a decades-old grant program for heavily Hispanic universities that is being challenged in court, declaring that the government believes the funding is unconstitutional.
HACU Statement on DOJ not defending the HSI Program - HACU
SAN ANTONIO – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has released the following statement in response to the July 25, 2025, letter from the Solicitor General of the U.S. Department of Justice, stating the Department’s decision not to defend the constitutionality of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the ongoing litigation involving the State of […]
“History Is Not A Hallmark Card.” Scholars Condemn Trump’s Smithsonian Review
Scholars are pushing back against the Trump administration’s plan to conduct a "comprehensive internal review" of the Smithsonian, viewing it as political interference.
DEI closures at colleges leave students with ‘a different reality’
The student experience is changing at universities after multiple diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, offices and centers have been shut down. Schools such as the University of Mi…
Judge blocks two Trump efforts to eliminate DEI in schools and colleges
Education department found to have violated law when it threatened to cut funds from institutions that backed DEI
Wyoming libraries fear financial ruin from youth book policy bill
CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Legislature is considering a bill that librarians from across the state say will eliminate young adult and teenage sections from public libraries, calling it unnecessary and
Ayotte vetoes Republican-backed public school book ban bill
The book ban bill vetoed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte would have allowed parents to request books, films, and other items that depicted nudity and sexual contact to be removed from their child's school.
Trump administration violated impoundment law by canceling NIH grants, slowing new awards, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office found that the Trump administration, by abruptly canceling NIH grants, had violated a 1974 federal law
‘There is no workaround to this moment – we are all targets’ | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
The attacks on DEI and academic freedom show higher education needs to come together, build collaborations and stand firm. Here’s how
Ohio State University president: Ivy League presidents ‘in survival mode, quite frankly’
The Ohio State University President Ted Carter said Sunday that he thinks Ivy League schools are in “survival mode” when asked about Columbia University’s settlement with the Trump administration. …
New Degree Pathways Expanding Access to Law Librarianship: Tanya Furlong’s Journey to Law Librarianship | University of Arizona Law
Why workplaces should be doubling down on DEI
NSF Has Canceled More Than 1,500 Grants. Nearly 90 Percent Were Related to DEI.
The National Science Foundation has canceled more than $1 billion in research grants since mid-April, raising concerns about the future of American research and innovation.
Real Talk on the Future of Libraries: A Conversation with ALA President-elect Sam Helmick | Virginia Libraries
Bills targeting library operations die in Alabama Legislature | Alabama Reflector
The bills would have applied the state's obscenity laws to local libraries and allow counties and cities to terminate library board members.
Appeals Court Reverses Ruling in Texas Book Ban Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on May 23 reversed a district court’s preliminary injunction and dismissed free speech claims in Little v. Llano County, a Texas case challenging the removal of 17 books from a public library.
Leaders of Free Speech and Press Freedom Groups Call for More Robust Response to Trump ’s Assault on First Amendment Freedoms
Trump Is Waging a Culture War on the Library of Congress. It’s Been Done Before.
Thomas Jefferson wanted to donate his personal collection of books to the Library of Congress. But critics thought those books were un-American.
Building Psychological Safety in Academic Libraries: Fostering Innovation, Well-Being, and Engaged Teams | Newman | College & Research Libraries News
Building Psychological Safety in Academic Libraries: Fostering Innovation, Well-Being, and Engaged Teams
In a Major Win for Libraries, Federal Judge Orders IMLS to Be Restored
In a thorough rebuke, federal judge John G. McConnell has ordered the Trump administration to immediately reverse the mass terminations of grants and staff at IMLS.
US military ordered to pull books on diversity, gender issues
The Pentagon ordered military educational institutions to pull and review any books that promote what it called "divisive concepts and gender ideology" on Friday, in the latest move from President Donald Trump's administration against diversity, equity and inclusion.
Most Americans disapprove of Trump's treatment of colleges, a new AP-NORC poll finds
A new poll shows a majority of U.S. adults disapprove of President Donald Trump’s handling of issues related to colleges and universities, as his Republican administration ramps up threats to cut federal funding unless schools comply with his political agenda.
Trump Fires Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office
From Politico: President Donald Trump continued a firing spree at the Library of Congress on Saturday when he dismissed the top copyright official in the nation — a position traditionally overseen by the legislative branch. The White House contacted Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter Saturday afternoon informing her that her job leading the U.S. Copyright […]
AP: “President Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden as White House Continues Purge of Perceived Trump Opponents”
Ed. Note: We will update this report with additional media coverage and statements as they become available Recent Additions (Last Update 5:30pm; May 12) ALISE Statement On the Dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) strongly condemns this unprecedented action. Dr. Hayden, the first woman […]
Deputy attorney general who defended Trump in hush money trial is named acting librarian of Congress
President Donald Trump's onetime defense attorney has been appointed acting librarian of Congress. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche replaces longtime librarian Carla Hayden, whom the White House fired last week amid criticism from some conservatives that she was advancing a “woke” agenda.
ARL Comments on the Dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden from the Library of Congress — Association of Research Libraries
“The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and its members are deeply disappointed in the administration’s decision to terminate Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress,” said Andrew K. Pace,...
States win a legal injunction against President Trump, pausing library funding cuts
A federal judge Tuesday wrote that President Trump's executive order dismantling the IMLS "disregards the fundamental constitutional role of each of the branches of our federal government."
Court Rules to Stop Trump Administration Effort to Gut Institute of Museum and Library Services - Democracy Forward